Speculation: Caps General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) - 2021 Off-Season Pt. 2

[g00n]

Common sense suggests that a person being in the faces of a bunch of heavily respiring athletes, having shouting coaches behind their heads, and in the presence of thousands of drunken fans for large periods of time over the course of several months could reasonably contract COVID-19 for a second time.

What does common sense tell you about why these same 2 guys are the only ones on the team that seems to have happened to? Given what the front office and staff and other sources have said about how they're viewed?

 

[HeyMattyB]

I really need to find this list of first-line centers with big upside and consistent play who are currently available for trade, especially in exchange for a 29-year-old top-six center who can't win a faceoff or play defense and has consistency (and discipline) issues.

 

[twabby]

What does common sense tell you about why these same 2 guys are the only ones on the team that seems to have happened to? Given what the front office and staff and other sources have said about how they're viewed?

Perhaps Kuznetsov has a weak immune system, or is otherwise more predisposed to contract COVID-19 than other players. We don't know.

Saying that he was out of shape and ineffective for this season's playoffs was solely his own fault because he caught COVID-19 while doing something against protocol is a stretch, in my opinion. Indeed the Centers for Disease Control noted that attending sporting events was one of the most dangerous activities in terms of contracting COVID-19. Can you say, even with relative certainty, that he caught it going to a bar or a strip club or whatever wealthy hockey players do in their spare time instead of catching it in one of the numerous arenas full of unvaccinated fans and players?

 

[twabby]

I really need to find this list of first-line centers with big upside and consistent play who are currently available for trade, especially in exchange for a 29-year-old top-six center who can't win a faceoff or play defense and has consistency (and discipline) issues.

They likely aren't available, as Kuznetsov's value is likely in the toilet.

However, if the Capitals are willing to give up other assets of actual or perceived value (Tom Wilson, John Carlson, Connor McMichael, Hendrix Lapierre, Alexander Alexeyev, 2022 1st Round Pick, 2023 First Round Pick, etc.) they could make a competitive offer to the Buffalo Sabres for Jack Eichel, for instance. Tomas Hertl could also be available if the Capitals offer a lot to San Jose as well.

 

[g00n]

Perhaps Kuznetsov has a weak immune system, or is otherwise more predisposed to contract COVID-19 than other players. We don't know.

Saying that he was out of shape and ineffective for this season's playoffs was solely his own fault because he caught COVID-19 while doing something against protocol is a stretch, in my opinion. Indeed the Centers for Disease Control noted that attending sporting events was one of the most dangerous activities in terms of contracting COVID-19. Can you say, even with relative certainty, that he caught it going to a bar or a strip club or whatever wealthy hockey players do in their spare time instead of catching it in one of the numerous arenas full of unvaccinated fans and players?

You know, you can play dumb all you want with the "we don't know" shit but the rest of us are going to move on like the Caps are trying to do. He's on the trade block for a reason and all the excuse making in the world doesn't change that.

 

[twabby]

You know, you can play dumb all you want with the "we don't know" shit but the rest of us are going to move on like the Caps are trying to do. He's on the trade block for a reason and all the excuse making in the world doesn't change that.

He's on the trade block for a very good reason indeed. Let's stick to those reasons instead of inventing new reasons that aren't applicable!

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I meant I wasn't seeking a guarantee of his health. Hip injuries are very serious, debilitating and time consuming to rehabilitate from. Not to mention having a tendency of becoming chronic, which we don't want for him.

all we can look at is his health now right? Seems like he’s slimmed up some, but it’s a long season fingers crossed as with every year.

 

[g00n]

He's on the trade block for a very good reason indeed. Let's stick to those reasons instead of inventing new reasons that aren't applicable!

So you're not going to keep posting cherrypicked, misleading stats in his defense and then backtrack with "I never said he was better/good" or whatever?

Of course you are.

 

[Calicaps]

Ditch Dillon, sign Suter, promote Feverbaby.

Didn't pay much attention to Suter this season. Does he have any game left?

 

[TheLegendOfPatPeake]

SMH. Suter? Are we trying to become a retirement home?

 

[OV Rocks]

If Suter comes in much cheaper than Dillon then I'm certainly for this plan as part of a grander scheme to land that impact center. However I would caution that there's not too much daylight between Brenden Dillon and Ryan Suter in terms of overall impact so this move alone wouldn't really move the needle much IMO.

There is not too much daylight between Dillon and Suter, according to what/who? Dillon is a typical stay at home defenseman who keeps the opposing team out of the slot, is around average in the offensive zone, and who will very safely log you about 20 minutes ever night without impacting the game much in a positive or negative way. He also relies on his teammates more than the average player. Dillon is a system d-man, who needs every other player on the ice to be exactly where they need to be in order for him to make the correct play, example the turnover where Hagelin changed and Marchand scored.

Suter is a crafty, play driving, and solid d-zone player, who moves the needle, especially when playing with talented forwards and skilled partner (Carlson). He is a guy who is one year removed from 48 points in 69 games on a below average team. Even at his age he brings added skill and equal if not better defense to the Caps d if you are to replace Dillon with Suter.

 

[Langway]

SMH. Suter? Are we trying to become a retirement home?

Yes?

 

[BiPolar Caps]

Yes?

Wait for me! I'm almost there.

 

[TheLegendOfPatPeake]

Yes?

 

[Carlzner]

If Suter comes in much cheaper than Dillon then I'm certainly for this plan as part of a grander scheme to land that impact center. However I would caution that there's not too much daylight between Brenden Dillon and Ryan Suter in terms of overall impact so this move alone wouldn't really move the needle much IMO.

What a silly claim to make.

You should have watched some of the Wild-Vegas series, it was a pretty good one.

 

[Jags]

However, if the Capitals are willing to give up other assets of actual or perceived value (Tom Wilson, John Carlson, Connor McMichael, Hendrix Lapierre, Alexander Alexeyev, 2022 1st Round Pick, 2023 First Round Pick, etc.) they could make a competitive offer to the Buffalo Sabres for Jack Eichel, for instance. Tomas Hertl could also be available if the Capitals offer a lot to San Jose as well.

You can't pay Eichel. If you drop Kuznetsov AND lose another costly piece like Wilson or Carlson, you have a huge hole to fill. McMichael might be the C we need before too long. It'd be nice to hang on to some picks, no?

I feel like we've had this discussion before...

And your Hertl delusion... What does that fix? You went on and on about how impaired our top 6 is and you think Hertl shores up the whole thing?

Do you ever go more than a couple days without contradicting yourself?

 

[twabby]

There is not too much daylight between Dillon and Suter, according to what/who? Dillon is a typical stay at home defenseman who keeps the opposing team out of the slot, is around average in the offensive zone, and who will very safely log you about 20 minutes ever night without impacting the game much in a positive or negative way. He also relies on his teammates more than the average player. Dillon is a system d-man, who needs every other player on the ice to be exactly where they need to be in order for him to make the correct play, example the turnover where Hagelin changed and Marchand scored.

Suter is a crafty, play driving, and solid d-zone player, who moves the needle, especially when playing with talented forwards and skilled partner (Carlson). He is a guy who is one year removed from 48 points in 69 games on a below average team. Even at his age he brings added skill and equal if not better defense to the Caps d if you are to replace Dillon with Suter.

There’s not much daylight according to my opinion based on the interpretation of their on-ice results over the past few seasons.

Suter is still a decent driver of offense but his defensive metrics over the years have dropped off quite a bit. He’s not really best suited in a shutdown role any more, and I don’t think he’d contribute much on the PP given the setup in DC.

Before last season Brenden Dillon was a very good shutdown defenseman, including in 2020 after being traded to Washington. Last year was more of an aberration for Dillon when considering his prior history, at least in terms of the big mistakes being made. However I think it’s reasonable to consider his two main partners last year in evaluating Dillon’s play. Justin Schultz, in a word, was awful last year. His overall drag on the team certainly must have impacted Dillon as well. And John Carlson, while still putting up the points, is a tire fire in his own zone and is a difficult player to play with by all indications. Meanwhile when paired with Nick Jensen and especially with Trevor van Riemsdyk, Brenden Dillon was pretty good. I suspect that Dillon is a much better player than he showed last year, despite his metrics actually being decent.

I still give the edge to Suter, but I think it’s close. Age is likely going to affect Suter harder than Dillon, so that again might make the evaluation even closer. If it’s close to a wash, then the move by itself doesn’t do enough to elevate the team. But if there is a significant cap reduction by signing Suter and losing Dillon, and those dollars are then applied toward acquiring an impact player, then the move is sensical.

 

[Holtbyisms]

Not really feeling argumentative about it or anything cause it seems to be awfully touchy but count me in the crowd who doesn't want to trade Kuzy.

 

[Hivemind]

Who says I'm defending them? And anyway, what precisely has 92 done in those 3 years? CCR's point was that right now, today, if we're trading Kuzy, we're trading a 50-point RS player, not a Conn Smythe candidate.

YOUVE said you’re defending the team, on multiple occasions.

CCR is on my ignore, so I have no clue or care what he said. My point is that you keep attacking those who support their arguments on the basis their support isn’t good, when the basis for your support is a status quo that hasn’t won a playoff series in three seasons. Hell, they don’t even have four playoff wins in the past two years combined.

 

[txpd]

Elliotte Friedman on 31 Thoughts says the talk is that Suter will end up in Vegas, Colorado or Washington

 

[Hivemind]

If the Caps can land Suter, we’ll definitely be the odds-on favorites for the 2013 Stanley Cup.

 

[twabby]

You can't pay Eichel. If you drop Kuznetsov AND lose another costly piece like Wilson or Carlson, you have a huge hole to fill. McMichael might be the C we need before too long. It'd be nice to hang on to some picks, no?

I feel like we've had this discussion before...

And your Hertl delusion... What does that fix? You went on and on about how impaired our top 6 is and you think Hertl shores up the whole thing?

Do you ever go more than a couple days without contradicting yourself?

Sure they can pay Eichel. He’s only $2.2 million more than Kuznetsov. It’d take some creativity, but there are ways. Replacing Justin Schultz with a league minimum player saves $3.25 million, for example. There would likely be other moves needed, but it’s doable from a cap perspective.

I don’t particularly care if they hang onto picks because I am mainly concerned about the final years of Ovechkin and Backstrom and their pursuit of another Cup. These picks aren’t going to be viable NHLers until after Ovechkin and Backstrom are retired. I’d rather they go all out these last few years and leave nothing on the table.

Tomas Hertl is an intriguing option because he has all of the attributes of a top-end 1C: he drives play, he scores, he creates offense, he’s decent defensively, he is good on the power play. He’s a fantastic player. And his cap-hit is an incredibly cheap $5.625 million per year. He’s a UFA at the end of next year so it might be possible to pry him away from San Jose if they make a big enough offer.

I don’t know that there’s anything the Capitals can do to make themselves a contender in the same tier as Tampa, Colorado, or Vegas. But adding a top-end 1C like Hertl could help elevate them to second-tier contender status, similar to teams like Boston, Carolina, etc.

 

[AussieCapsFan]

If the Caps can land Sutter, we’ll definitely be the odds-on favorites for the 2013 Stanley Cup.

I think we should go all in and sign Suter AND the Sutters. Brandon from the Canucks and Darryl to help Lavi with the coaching.

Then we're DEF the favs for a Cup

 

[bur and 666 others]

If the Caps can land Suter, we’ll definitely be the odds-on favorites for the 2013 Stanley Cup.

isn't this our goal? I mean we signed kovy, lundqvist, chara. Suter makes sense.

 

[Calicaps]

YOUVE said you’re defending the team, on multiple occasions.

CCR is on my ignore, so I have no clue or care what he said. My point is that you keep attacking those who support their arguments on the basis their support isn’t good, when the basis for your support is a status quo that hasn’t won a playoff series in three seasons. Hell, they don’t even have four playoff wins in the past two years combined.

I am arguing for trading Kuzy with realistic expectations. I have no f***ing idea what the rest of your post is about.